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The "It came home in buckets" build - a frame-off on an '81

AdamH said:
And this is why I ended up with Jerry in the first place. On my CJ7, I had a local machine shop do the work and my ex-brother in law built it. He is a diesel mechanic by trade but does engines on the side too. Long story short, that engine gave up the ghost not long after the build. I researched and found Jerry through multiple referrals. Once he tore that 304 apart, he found that the machine work was done wrong and then my ex-bro in law built it like a Chevy engine. Apparently a lot of people make the mistake of thinking AMC engines are built using the same specs as Chevy engines - they are close but not the same. I found out the hard way.
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Good to know
And love how he uses the correct color (he would need to for restorations) but that is a huge pet peeve of mine, people that do a total rebuild on an amc motor then paint it Chevy orange or ford blue or something like that
 
Moved the frame from the garage to the basement to free up some room in the garage while I wait for my lift to come in. Hopefully it will be in sometime next week so I can begin to assemble the rolling chasis. Between now and then I need to get my axles painted. I took advantage of the 70 degree weather here yesterday and pressure washed the axles and the 32 years worth of grime off. Next will be to take a sander to them and paint.

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Just some 409. Sprayed lots on it and let it soak in until it dried, then another layer of it then let the water do the rest.
 
Stopped by my painter's shop today. Body is blasted, seam sealed, and primer will start later today after some final welding is complete. (door stress cracks at vent window, welding up the over-size radio cut-out.) He'll take off all hinges and paint underneath them as well.

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Very Cool!, I wasn't too far from that stage not long ago. It'll be nice to see it going back together.
 
4" BDS kit picked up today with the LJ

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Better pic of the lot. Hopefully I will have time this weekend to get the U-bolt plates sanded and painted and at least get the rear installed. Waiting on a buddy to finish modifying the front plates for the wider springs.

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Lift installed and engine bolted in. Rolling chassis coming along.

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It's an auto, I think the TF999
 
Stopped by the body shop to pick up a few parts that are finished to get them out of the way. I picked up the roll bar, grill, windshield frame, and interior door lock access panels. The rest of the body parts will be painted at the same time to ensure the paint matches as you look down the body. The color is called Graphite Gray Metallic. I really like how it changes based on the light. There are times it looks fairly dark and then in the sun it is lighter and has a sparkle to it. I tried to show that with the grill and access panels below.

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Adam, if you don't mind me asking how much is your body work/painting running you? I am trying to get a budget together for my 84 frame off.
 
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